2 LPs on 1 CD: Call Me Irresponsible (1964)/My Fair Lady (1964).

Liner Note Author: Mark Marymont.

In 1964, Andy Williams released two albums, one devoted to movie theme songs, the other to Broadway show tunes; they are combined on this CD reissue. Since becoming associated with the Henry Mancini-Johnny Mercer song "Moon River" and releasing an earlier film song album, Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes in 1962, Williams had become the undisputed king of such material, his reign extended by the success of his 1963 album Days of Wine and Roses, keyed to another Mancini-Mercer song. Call Me Irresponsible took its name from 1964's Academy Award-winning song from the film Papa's Delicate Condition, written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, and Williams also covered two of the year's other nominees, Mancini and Mercer's "Charade" and "More" from Mondo Cane. The rest of the album ranged back to the 1940s ("Laura") and up to the just-released film The Chalk Garden ("Madrigal"). The songs were ballads, sung warmly by Williams with sympathetic string arrangements. My Fair Lady was another story. Conceived to accompany the release of the film version of the long-running stage musical, it was given over half to songs from that show and half to other show tunes, including then-current hits such as "Hello, Dolly" and "People" from Funny Girl. But the overly busy arrangements often competed with the singer and the songs, distracting attention from both. Inappropriate at the time, they sound terribly dated 35 years later. Though both albums were released in succession in 1964, Collectables Records might better have chosen to pair Call Me Irresponsible with Moon River for a complete movie song compilation. As it is, the CD contains one excellent album and one mediocre one. ~ William Ruhlmann